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.It wasn’t likely, but it could happen.Just then, I noticed a man walk past the table.His skin was dark, his hair darker, and he had a colorful silk sash around his midsection.I knew exactly who he was.Deanna’s dream man.I stood, regretfully jostling the table as I did.“I’ve got to find out if that man is single.”Riley’s eyebrows knotted together, and his head lurched forward in confusion.“Say what?”I shook my head, my cheeks warming.“That’s not how it sounded.It’s a long story, actually.I’ll be right back.”Before anyone could object, I started after the Middle Eastern/Indian man the maid had talked about last night.I’d told her I’d find out if he was single.She said that if I did, she’d find a way to show me the security footage.This sounded like a win-win to me.How exactly I was going to do this, I had no idea.But I’d find a way.Somehow.I walked at a quick clip behind the man, my mind racing, when I heard someone hiss, “Gabby!”I jerked my gaze to the side.Deanna stood there, in an alcove where no one else would spot her.She’d changed into jeans and a sweatshirt, so obviously her shift was over.I glanced around to make sure no one was watching before slipping beside her.“What’s going on?”She pointed toward the distance.“That’s him!”“I know! The hot dignitary.” I leaned closer.“So, you just think he’s hot or you really like him?”She sighed and put a hand over her heart.“He’s like a Casanova.You don’t understand.He picked up my feather duster when I dropped it.He smiles and it melts my heart.He actually sees me, a member of the cleaning staff … ” She shook her head, seeming to snap back to reality.“It’s like we’re invisible sometimes.”My heart panged.I could understand that.That fact often helped me in my investigations, though.“He sounds like a winner.”“None of the maids can figure out his status.Believe me, they’ve tried.Do you really think you can?”I shrugged casually, trying to ignore the scent of bacon and my stomach’s Pavlovian response of growling with hunger.“I can find out a lot of things.”She glanced to the side and nibbled on her fingernail a moment before looking back at me.“I could get in so much trouble for this.”“I won’t tell.” She was awfully concerned about getting in trouble, yet that didn’t seem to deter her.I knew there was a reason I liked Deanna.She leaned closer.“And that solution you gave me for wine? Brilliant.Worked like a charm.I’m like the superhero housecleaner of my shift.”I straightened my shirt and emerged, trying to look like I was supposed to be hiding in a nook talking to one of the maids, like this was nothing unusual.A quick perusal of the room, and I spotted the Mr.Hottie in the corner, tapping away at a computer while eating a muffin … with his pinky raised.I almost wanted to snicker, but I didn’t.I took a step forward.Here goes nothing.I “accidentally” knocked into his chair with my purse.My purse, then in response, fell to the floor.Out rolled my lip balm, wallet, my cell phone, a sheet of fake mustaches, and … a book called Guide to Poisons.I’d forgotten that was in there.You never knew when I might have a free moment to read up on deadly substances, though.It was only for my job.Of course.I squatted down.“I’m so sorry.I didn’t spill your coffee, did I?”The man’s eyes widened, and he reached for the floor.“No, not at all.”I grabbed the book and shoved it to the bottom of my purse, hoping that I didn’t seem too creepy by carrying the guide.“I’m so clumsy sometimes.”“It is busy in here.Understandable.” He handed me my wallet.His words were clipped with an accent I couldn’t quite identify.I finished gathering everything, heaved my purse onto my shoulder, and stood.I extended my hand.“I’m Gabby, by the way.Gabby St.Claire.”“I am Ajay.” His accent was thick, but understandable, and he certainly was handsome, just as Deanna had said.“Love the accent.Where are you from?”“India.”“I’ve heard it’s beautiful there.”He smiled.“It is unmatched.But this Virginia in the United States is nice as well.”“What brings you here?” I pulled my purse up tighter, trying to appear casual.I was not someone who instantly made friends wherever I went or who didn’t know a stranger.But, at times when life demanded it, I reached deep down inside myself and made it happen.For the sake of truth.He stared at me a moment.“You ask a lot of questions.”I waved my hand in the air as if trying to brush away his uncertainties.“I’m sorry.I’m a little too talkative for my own good.”He stared at me a moment, that same small smile on his face.“Do not apologize.Your kindness is refreshing.I am here to get away from it all, as you Americans say.”“By yourself?”He chuckled again.“Yes, by myself.”“Sounds relaxing, but don’t you miss your family?” I tugged at my collar as I realized I was pushing a little too hard.But in the distance, I could see Deanna nodding at me from behind the alcove.She was counting on me.And, though I didn’t know the woman, I didn’t want to let her down.It was twisted logic.I knew that.But it was all I had at the moment.He offered a sad smile before shaking his head.“I am what you call unattached.So, no, there is no one to miss me.Not really.”I nodded.The grief and melancholy in his eyes made my guilt pound even harder.“I’m sorry to hear that.I know you’ll have a wonderful stay here, though.”He nodded crisply and stared into the distance a moment.“I hope I will Miss St.Claire.If I meet more people like you, I am sure I will.”I nearly blushed.Which wasn’t good, because I was engaged.Happily engaged at that.Just because this man had a rockin’ accent and a tragic past didn’t mean I was attracted to him.It did, however, mean that he should apply to be on The Bachelor or one of those other reality dating shows.Those bachelorettes would swoon all over him.It would be ratings gold.I cleared my throat.“I should go.”He nodded slightly, almost like a mini-bow.“Take care.”I released a deep breath as I walked away.Okay, I had Deanna’s answer.Now I hoped that Deanna would help find one for me as well.CHAPTER 7Riley disappeared to his conference, and I still had four hours to kill before I met Deanna and her friend from security.I’d been surprised at his lack of questioning to what I’d been up to, but maybe that just went to show how much he trusted me now.Our relationship had come a long way.Riley had told me on the way here that I should go down to the spa and utilize some of the services there.Or maybe get some sun or play in the pool.You know, things that normal people did on vacation.But I was still thinking about Jackie-O and Clint.I was thinking about Riley’s friends and how different they seemed than him.I wasn’t sure what I’d expected [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]